Matt Damon Did Not Talk About Ben Affleck With Jennifer Lopez At TIFF

The actress, who looked stunning at the event, didn’t run into Affleck, who worked as a producer on the film, as he was absent.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been friends for many years, with reports claiming that the “Argo” actor even takes his relationship advice as his marriage to his wife, Luciana Barroso, has stood the test of time.

The “Bourne Identity” actor tactfully sidestepped any conversation about Affleck with Lopez at the after-party for their new film “Unstoppable.”

The pair were seen holding hands at the event and engaging in a 20-minute conversation, with an insider telling the Daily Mail that the “Let’s Get Loud” singer was keen to discuss Affleck. However, Damon was “not having any of it,” as he has made it clear that he would “always have Ben’s back.”

“Matt Damon shut down any attempt that JLo made to discuss Ben at the premiere,” a source told the news outlet. “It was her timing that was so awkward because she would have known that pulling Matt aside at the event to have an intimate talk was going to get picked up and go viral.”

The source continued, “Her whole hand on his hand was a nice touch – but he was not having any of it. He told her he is glad she is doing well and is thankful for her participation in the film – but he made it clear he was not there to talk about Ben at all.”

The estranged couple avoided an awkward run-in at the event, as Affleck opted to stay home instead of attending their movie premium.

The “Gone Girl” star worked as a producer on the film alongside his friend Damon, who caused quite a stir online when he bowed his head as if in a prayer with Lopez while they talked.

The source clarified that Damon “was not ‘praying’ with her” and that he stressed that he would “always have Ben’s back no matter what.”

For the event, which was held at the Toronto International Film Festival last Friday, the “Jenny From The Block” singer wore a disco ball-inspired revenge dress, while Damon wore a grey suit and black button-up shirt.

A source previously told the Daily Mail that Lopez was happy to “head to the Toronto Film Festival to promote this film because Unstoppable means a lot to her, she wants to support it.”

“It is a true life story that is very inspirational and she is proud to be a part of it. Acting in the movie was a high point for her,” they said. “The movie has been getting a lot of attention and Jennifer wants it to do the best it can.”

The source added that Lopez “is very professional and always works hard to give her movies their best opportunities.”

Lopez’s film premiere comes after she filed for divorce from Affleck at the Los Angeles County Superior Court on August 20, following months of intense speculations that their marriage had collapsed.

Amid his marital woes with Lopez, Damon reportedly offered Affleck a shoulder to lean on and advised him to “focus on his work” so he doesn’t lose sight of his goals and become a shadow of himself.

He allegedly feared that Affleck would relapse into his past drinking habit, with an insider telling Radar Online that he rallied his close friends to stage an intervention so that he wouldn’t fall off the wagon.

“Matt wants those closest to Ben to remind him he is loved and supported — and better off without Jennifer,” a source said. “Everyone is rallying around Ben — including his ex, Jen Garner, and their kids, Violet, Fin, and Samuel. They’re keeping him occupied by suggesting fun things to do.”

“Matt’s been the influencer behind the scenes,” the insider noted. “Anything that will take Ben’s mind off J Lo is a good thing.”

The “Oppenheimer” actor reportedly warned Affleck about getting back with Lopez initially as he feared it would end in a split like the first time around.

The insider explained that Affleck cherishes Damon’s advice, especially because of his successful 18-year marriage to his wife, Luciana Barroso.

“Matt has had a successful marriage for years and Ben has always been in awe of this,” they said. “Ben spent so much time focusing on JLo’s projects just like he did the first time around. He told Ben, ‘What has she ever done for your career?'”